Democratic Women hear about role of religions in the Levant

Published: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 7:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 7:59 p.m.

The Rev. Canon John Peterson decided months ago what his topic was going to be for the Democratic Women of Henderson County meeting Tuesday afternoon.

His audience listened intently at Three Chopt in downtown Hendersonville as he talked in-depth about "The role religions are playing in the Levant today." The Levant is a region on the Eastern Mediterranean Sea from Turkey to Egypt.

As he prepared his presentation, Peterson didn't know that upheaval would erupt in Egypt and that his talk would be as relevant to current events as it turned out to be.

"My crystal ball nearly blew up for sure last week," he joked with the crowd.

Peterson focused his presentation on Syria and Lebanon, talking about their religious differences. The two countries are linked as the last remaining secular governments in the Middle East, he said.

Peterson was the dean at St. George's College in Jerusalem from 1982 until 1994. After that, he took a post as the secretary general of Worldwide Anglican Communion. He's currently president of the Compass Rose Society.

Peterson stressed that situations in the region are "never black and white." He added that no overtures are being made by Israel to end the conflict with Palestine. Bombings, he said, have created "scars." The scars aren't going to heal between the Israelis and the Muslim world with the current Muslim children, he said.

<p>The Rev. Canon John Peterson decided months ago what his topic was going to be for the Democratic Women of Henderson County meeting Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>His audience listened intently at Three Chopt in downtown Hendersonville as he talked in-depth about "The role religions are playing in the Levant today." The Levant is a region on the Eastern Mediterranean Sea from Turkey to Egypt. </p><p>As he prepared his presentation, Peterson didn't know that upheaval would erupt in Egypt and that his talk would be as relevant to current events as it turned out to be.</p><p>"My crystal ball nearly blew up for sure last week," he joked with the crowd. </p><p>Peterson focused his presentation on Syria and Lebanon, talking about their religious differences. The two countries are linked as the last remaining secular governments in the Middle East, he said. </p><p>Peterson was the dean at St. George's College in Jerusalem from 1982 until 1994. After that, he took a post as the secretary general of Worldwide Anglican Communion. He's currently president of the Compass Rose Society.</p><p>Peterson stressed that situations in the region are "never black and white." He added that no overtures are being made by Israel to end the conflict with Palestine. Bombings, he said, have created "scars." The scars aren't going to heal between the Israelis and the Muslim world with the current Muslim children, he said. </p><p>"It's going to take another generation," Peterson added. </p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>